May 21, 2010 – The Swiss Ski Federation has announced that Inge Braten will take over position of the cross-country head coach. Braten, the 61-year-old veteran, spent one year with Canadian team. He will now lead the Swiss squad built around leader Dario Cologna and includes Remo Fischer, Toni Livers and Curdin Perl.

In March it was announced that Tor Arne Hetland from Norway will be responsible for the Swiss sprint team. Hetland replaced fellow countryman Trond Nystad who stepped down from this position on team after three years. On the women’s side Christian Flury is the coach – the 34 year old trainer was a top athlete until 1997. From then until 2003 Flury was working with the Swiss team as a serviceman and assistant coach of the Nordic combined team.

The Swiss Ski Federation is convinced that this coaching solution will enable transfer of the know-how. “We believe that with this trio we can achieve the desired development in cross-country,” said Dirt Beisel, director of sports, Swiss Ski. He is also happy about the fact that two coaches were top skiers before. “Together with Inge Braten we put together highly professional coaching staff which will help us gain success at the World Championships in Oslo next year”

Contributed by Swiss Ski, Diana Fäh